Title: Prepare contaminated instruments for transportation to sterile processing.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Maintaining Instruments

Preparation should be done before removal of instruments from the point of use and should include

- removing scalpel blades and sharp items
- visual inspection of instruments for damage, hazards, or wear (e.g., diminished function or sharpness)
- removing (e.g., wiping, flushing, soaking) soil, debris, and bioburden
- opening and separating instruments
- spraying with enzymatic detergent or covering with moist towel
- covering or placing instruments in the appropriate container, according to industry standards and manufacturer guidelines
- loading and transporting instruments to the appropriate decontamination area.

Process/Skill Questions:

- At what point should you remove bioburden from instruments?
- With what should you soak the instruments?
- What would you do if you found a broken instrument?
- Who is responsible for conducting an inventory of instruments before they leave the operating room? What does inventory control entail?
- What is the procedure for identifying missing or damaged instruments?
- Who would report damaged or broken instruments? And to whom?